Freehold members represent both business-to-business and business-to-consumer distribution. The group now has 19 active members made up of regional mortgage distributors and is on its way to reaching its target of 25 members by the end of 2006.
Commenting on the website, Paul Brett, spokesman for Freehold, said: “The website will allow intermediaries to find the Freehold member closest to them as well as getting a better understanding of the Freehold philosophy concerning the importance of quality business and the special relationship we have with our panel lenders and other supporting product providers. The addition of the website brings Freehold to a wider audience of potential members and mortgage intermediaries who will want to use our services.”
Martin Gilsenan, director of Residential One, a Freehold founder member, added: “The launch of the website is an important step for Freehold as it takes its place as a fully fledged packaging association. We have a lot to offer intermediaries and their clients. Our members have the advantage of being small enough to offer a real, personal service but with access to some of the best mortgage products in the market.”
However John Rice, managing director for the Regulatory Alliance of Mortgage Packagers (RAMP), was unsure whether this would attract new business from mortgage intermediaries. He said: “All intermediaries are aware of the various packaging associations and I can’t imagine them searching online for the information, as they would already know who to contact. It is not really a way to attract business, as most intermediaries would go directly to them anyway. But clearly Freehold wants new members and any way of attracting them is going to help it achieve this.”
